On the Road Again...

My Grandpa Simon used to say that some people were just born with wheels under their asses, and after the last few months I would believe him.  Just quickly counting I believe we have been on the road 7 of the past 12 weekends, and have plans to travel next weekend also.  I am definitely looking forward to staying home whenever that time comes...

Our latest trip was scheduled around watching the K-State Wildcats play the Oregon Ducks in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl.  Here are just a few pictures we took during our 8 day trip across Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah...

Jenny and I at the Painted Desert

Jenny cruising down Route 66

Petrified Tree / Living Tree

Matt at Crystal Forest

Arizona DOT New Years Warning...

First glimpse of the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

Getting ready to throw a snowball into the biggest hole in the USA.

Sporting the Wildcat at the Grand Canyon.

Flagstaff for New Years Eve.

Preparing for tailgating at the Fiesta Bowl.

Fiesta Bowl 2013

National Anthem before the big game.

Go State!

Jenny Sporting the Wildcat at the 4 Corners Monument.

Big 12 Champs

Matt and I had a busy November with Thanksgiving, KLA Convention, and the KSU vs. Texas game.  It's been great catching up with family, friends, and colleagues. 

College Roomies

Brian and Peggy Lawrence our good friends from college

The field after the big win

Next stop, Phoenix, Arizona at the end of December. Matt and I are looking forward to our vacation to the Grand Canyon, Four Corners, Petrified Forest, oh and yes the Fiesta Bowl will be one of our stops as well. Can't wait to see some of you there!

Undefeated Wildcats

KSU vs. Texas Tech | 55 - 24

Joe, Tara, Matt, and I made the trip to the Little Apple to watch our favorite team.....the K-STATE WILDCATS! We got up early on Saturday morning to do some last minute shopping and then we were off tailgating. At first the weather was a little chilly but that didn't stop us. We enjoyed our time by playing washers, grilling spicy chicken wings, and having some cold ones.

 

In the stadium, we had great seats, sitting near the south end zone, in row 3. We even got to see "Optimus Klein" score a touchdown. The stadium was sold out which made the atmosphere loud and intimidating to the other team.

 

The picture above is an action shot of the field goal that was blocked during the game. Matt was a great photographer by watching the game through the lens of the camera. It was only the beginning of the fourth quarter and we snapped this shot of the Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot looking defeated.

   

 We look forward to seeing another game in Manhattan on December 1st to watch K-State play Texas. This will be an exciting game at the end of the regular season... winning against Texas could help our bid to the National Championship. GO STATE!

Home Cookin'

Matt and I love to cook! Since we've been married we have continued to try old fashioned, do it yourself recipes. First, all I wanted to learn was to make homemade gravy. After a few trial and errors, I have finally got it! I actually make biscuits and gravy on a pretty regular basis. From there we learned how to make chicken fried steak and fried chicken.

My Grandma Combes was a great cook. When I think of her I always think of food. Especially her homemade doughnuts that we would have every Halloween as our TREAT! They were always big and fluffy, sure to satisfied everyone's appetite.  So that's exactly what I did next, made doughnuts. I'm no expert and I still need practice but it's a place to start.

 If you read the Suede Sofa, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say Live-It List. On my list for 2012, was to learn how to make pies. Sometime around the first of September after buying fruit from the Colorado Fruit Truck I started my journey of pie making. Since then, I have made pies, pies, and more pies! First a peach, then peanut butter, and 2 apples.I'm not going to lie - they were pretty darn good!

As I would make my pies I would continue to send picture text messages to my parents and sisters. As always they wished they lived close so they could drive over and have a piece.  One weekend in October my parents drove to Leoti for a day trip. I couldn't pass up this opportunity to make a pie. This time I took it a step further and made Dad a homemade chocolate cream pie. Let's just say the 4 of us had the pie eaten in a day - it was that good!

Making most meals and desserts from scratch does take time, but it is well worth the effort. If I don't learn how to do this, what will keep our grandparents traditions going?? So, with that said, the taste of good home cookin' isn't going to stop with me!